APRIL

First Fridays in Downtown Rockford
April 1, 5 p.m.-midnight. Each month, downtown art galleries, shops, music and theater venues work together to stay open late and provide new art, music and goods. Downtown Rockford, (779) 537-5319, facebook.com/FirstFridaysRockford.
Antique Show
April 2-3, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Explore more than 50 Midwest dealers offering antiques from the early 1800s through the 1950s. Crystal and china repair services, appraisals and concessions available. Blackhawk Center, 1101 W. Jefferson St., Oregon, Ill., (815) 732-2219.
Thrifty Teen Fashion Show
April 3, 2 p.m. doors, 2:30 p.m. social hour, 3 p.m. show time. The second annual thrifty teen fashion show supports Keeping Families and Communities Together (KFACT). Young ladies from KFACT’s Lady All Stars Program model thrifty threads from various consignment and thrift stores in our area. Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 519-1072, eventbrite.com/d/il–rockford/kfact-thrifty-teen-fashion-show/?mode=search.
Paranormal Investigation
April 8, 7-11 p.m. Engage in a real paranormal investigation at the most active locations in Tinker Swiss Cottage. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 964-2424, tinkercottage.com/paramormal.html.
The Great War: World War I
April 9-10, Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Engage in history with the opportunity to walk near encampments and tour a reproduction three-bunker trench, talk to more than 220 re-enactors about life as a soldier, learn about the various military equipment and combat techniques of this war, and watch large-scale narrated battle re-enactments. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Rockford Speedway Opening Day
April 9, open practice session 11 a.m., followed by Enduro race. The track comes to life for the first time in 2016, as all teams are invited to take part in an Open Practice Session. Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 633-1500, rockfordspeedway.com.
Rockford Rage Women’s Roller Derby
April 16, 7 p.m., doors 6 p.m. Join the Rage in celebrating a #DecadeOfDerby by watching a great roller derby game. Afterwards, join the Rage and Desolation Row at Neighbors Bar & Grill for a killer afterparty. MercyRockford Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park, Ill., facebook.com/pages/The-Rockford-Rage/200333030087108.
Murder Mystery Night
April 16, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Dust off your flapper dress, zoot suits and Tommy guns and get ready for your Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery Party! Light refreshments will be served after the game is complete. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Rockford, (815) 964-2424, tinkercottage.com/murder-mystery-night.html.
The Gathering at Macktown
April 23-24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Take a step back in time to experience American frontier life through the 1840s. Meet traders and trappers, French voyageurs and Native Americans. Tour original buildings on a national historic site and meet Stephen Mack as he shares his home with you. Plenty of hands-on activities, music and much more. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-4200, macktownlivinghistory.com.
YMCA Heritage Run
April 24, 1 p.m. Free kids’ race 12:30 p.m. YMCA Heritage Run presented by OSF HealthCare includes 10K (6.2 miles) and 2-mille races starting downtown and going through historic Rockford neighborhoods. The 32nd Heritage Run includes a free half-mile kids race and Healthy Kids activities. Starting point: West State & Wyman streets, Rockford, (779) 774-4428, rockriverymca.org/heritagerun/.
Pitney Place Open House Celebration
April 29, 4:30 p.m. To celebrate the opening of Pitney Place – a refuge of hope for women and children – come to an evening with a ribbon-cutting, open house tours and a celebration reception. Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 316-4176, rockfordrescuemission.org.